Hi everyone.

I came across a question on page 63 o Bob's Airlaw book which says:

Q Number 21
Your aircraft has a maximum xwind component of 20 kt. If you conduct a VFR flight of 70 nm by day, which of the following items in the destination aerodrome's TAF would always impose an alternate requirement?

a. the TAF is prefixed with the word PROVISIONAL
b. 4/8 of cloud with a base of 1200 ft AGL
c. 6/8 of cloud with a base of 1500 ft AGL
d. a crosswind on the only runway of 20 kt.

I thought answer B is correct but in the book it says answer A is correct. I took a look at the AIP and VFRG but didn't find the word Provisional at all?!

I do appreciate if anyone can explain this a bit more.

Cheers

a. the TAF is prefixed with the word PROVISIONAL

Reference AIP ENR 1.1-86 para 59.1.3 tells the story for provisional requiring an alternate

b. 4/8 of cloud with a base of 1200 ft AGL

Shouldn't present a problem VFR

c. 6/8 of cloud with a base of 1500 ft AGL

Shouldn't present a problem VFR

d. a crosswind on the only runway of 20 kt.

Note the gust note at AIP ENR 1.1-86 para 59.1.3 and the comment regarding accuracy at AIP GEN 3.5-3 para 3.1 While the AIP doesn't REQUIRE an alternate, only a foolish pilot wouldn't make some anticipatory provision for an escape plan or some holding if the forecast wind is critical.

Thanks for the reply John. I don't know how I did not see that in the AIP.

Thanks for a prompt reply anyway.

Cheerd

The AIP, for many years, has been a bit of a dog's breakfast when it comes to finding specific things with ease .. unless you pretty well know the document forwards, backwards and every other which way .. which most professional pilots do (should ?). As I recall, the associated major format changes came in during Buck's time in the chair and that's quite a few years past now ?

Much easier to search for specifics using the usual document search functions on a downloaded copy of the particular section via the AirServices website.

Normally, I don't buy into AIP questions as I am a bit out of routine touch with the ins and outs of flying operations these days. However, the provisional requirement has been there forever and wind limits are a particular interest of mine .. so the references cited were pretty easy for me to find in a couple of minutes.